March 2009: Pelvic pain, sciatica, and getting kicked in the ribs: Are we prize fighters or just entering the third trimester?

[MKG]

Here's our new thread ladies.

Hi snooch - welcome!

slickbird - have you heard that lothian are now just doing a 20 week scan instead of just a 12 week scan

No more scans for me either - only got a 20week scan cos of high risk DS results.

Hi All

Glad the GD sufferers are coping well - well done gals !

Titmouse - I have quieter episodes then things get active again. Also I think movements tend to sort of slow down and change as the baby runs out of room. If you're worried though - give your MW a call and get it checked out.

Beginning to struggle with sleeping now - hips hurting at night and can't get comfortable. Guess it comes with the package though !! Makes me realise though what an abnormal pregnancy I had with dd as didn't have any of that - presumably because she was so little.

Hey all - been catching up on all your news - glad to hear everyone is cruising on nicely towards the finish line, in the main.

Just a quick question, does anyone have a link, or know in a quick summary what new mums are entitled to in terms of help from the government? Child care vouchers, benefits, anything at all? DH and I earn a decent household wage between us, so I'm not expecting it to be huge, but it would be nice to know what's out there, if I know to claim it.

Thanks - boobz xxx

boobz did you get given a book by the GP or midwife, a guide to pregnancy? it's A4 size and has some really shocking 70's photos in it. the green pages at the back are a really good summary of what you are entitled to and how to get it. We've found it really helpful.

thanks wheelybug I did wonder if baby is just running out of room. I've got a GP appt early next week so I am going to see how the next couple of days go and mention it to him. I am getting really big so poor thing must be quite squashed in there!

Meep - Yes I was aware that we were missing the 20 week scan by a few months that's why we had to pay for our own.

Snooch Tell your DH to get off his f*cking arse and put some effort in!!! I can't believe he's making you do all the getting up when you are pregnant and in pain!! I'm in screaming pain with my SPD today as well and have had to take painkillers. If our DD2 wakes up and isn't settling, it's always (just about) DH that gets up with her.

I too can't sleep at night from the pelvic pain and tossing and turning every two minutes trying to get comfy. Was so exhausted and sore today at work that I had to go to sick room to lie down for a bit - that and the fact that the baby had not stopped kicking relentlessly for four hours. He's been at it most of the day. I remember this from the other two, you seem to get to a point and the baby just goes nuts for 12-24hours and then settles into a more sedate pattern.

I agree with Wheelybug, Titmouse they seem to come and go and sometimes I think it can depend on how busy you are too. Sometimes when you've been too busy, they start gien' it laldy (as we say here) and I've always thought it was their way of saying, "Sit down for God's sake and give it a rest!!"

Urgh, anyone else suffering from heartburn?

Oh the joys. I can't wait for this week to be over. Two more days to go. I hope my pelvis can take it.

PS - SUEDE by the way. I remembered when I woke up!!!

MKG I've been told that it is very likely that they will induce me at 38 weeks "as the placenta matures earlier in women with GD". They also said that in an ideal world I'll go into labour at 37 weeks naturally, so trying to psych myself up for that to happen - a bit of mind over matter may help!!!
I've been monitoring my blood 4 times a day for about 4 weeks now, and feel that I have just about got the hang of what I can eat and how much of it - the consultant is pleased with how I am going - so if you want any meal recommendations just give me a shout!

Been to my 2nd parentcraft class this evening - once again very impressed - the midwife is very down to earth and seems like exactly the sort of person that you would want by your side during labour.

P.P.S - Sorry Snooch, that sounded a bit bossy but I just can't believe he makes you do that. (You can tell him I said so, I don't mind! )

boobz - as an absolute basic make sure you apply for Child Benefit as this isn't means-tested. Also if you pay into a health company like HSA check whether you're due a maternity payment. We're due £150 for DS2 from HSA.

boobz I am sure you get something once you've given birth to remind you to apply for child benefit. Childcare vouchers will depend on whther your work run a scheme or not so check with them. That's all dh and I get as we both work pretty much full time.

For all of you with GD - one of my friends had it - I think she was induced 2 weeks early - she was certainly the first one of our group to have her baby. Hope it all goes smoothly for you all - but she seemed fine throughout.

I have heartburn - just about to email the doc for gaviscon on prescription (or more preferably by drip )! Had it last time and found it so unfair that the only enjoyable thing in teh last few weeks of pregnancy is nice food - which you can't eat because it all sloshes back into your mouthy when you lie down - ugh!

I am surrounded by cushions and pillows at night (thank god we've got a superking bed!) - it's either back or left hip pain that wakes me up - or a blocked nose (pregnancy related - I don't have a cold)! And also because of the mountains of pillows I get too hot! Strangely I am now able to go a whole night without the trek to the loo for a wee - I just don't drink anything after about 6pm and have trained myself not to notice when junior is bouncing on my bladder!

Am now getting quite excited about the idea of having a baby - think I was in denial in the beginning and dd is at such a cute stage that she took up all my time. But she now comes over and lifts my top up to kiss the bump - and it has made me all gooey at the thought of a wee scrunchy baby in 10 weeks

boobz I am sure you get something once you've given birth to remind you to apply for child benefit. Childcare vouchers will depend on whther your work run a scheme or not so check with them. That's all dh and I get as we both work pretty much full time.

For all of you with GD - one of my friends had it - I think she was induced 2 weeks early - she was certainly the first one of our group to have her baby. Hope it all goes smoothly for you all - but she seemed fine throughout.

I have heartburn - just about to email the doc for gaviscon on prescription (or more preferably by drip )! Had it last time and found it so unfair that the only enjoyable thing in teh last few weeks of pregnancy is nice food - which you can't eat because it all sloshes back into your mouthy when you lie down - ugh!

I am surrounded by cushions and pillows at night (thank god we've got a superking bed!) - it's either back or left hip pain that wakes me up - or a blocked nose (pregnancy related - I don't have a cold)! And also because of the mountains of pillows I get too hot! Strangely I am now able to go a whole night without the trek to the loo for a wee - I just don't drink anything after about 6pm and have trained myself not to notice when junior is bouncing on my bladder!

Am now getting quite excited about the idea of having a baby - think I was in denial in the beginning and dd is at such a cute stage that she took up all my time. But she now comes over and lifts my top up to kiss the bump - and it has made me all gooey at the thought of a wee scrunchy baby in 10 weeks

Slickbird, not at all, I share your sentiment over DH's night-time laziness, trust me!!!! We fight about it constantly and so stressed about having to get up for a newborn as well as a toddler very soon! Last night was bad again - think DS1 has a sinus infection (going to the doc today) and was waking every hour crying and coughing. After about the 6th time of getting up I decided to make up a little bed using the sofa cushion's in his room and made DH sleep there as he claims that he just doesn't hear DS wake up at night (WHATEVER!!!)....well, even that didn't work as I DH just lay there and went "Shhhh shhhh" every time he woke up - I STILL had to get up and see to him while he just lay there riht next to his cot!!!!! AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Snooch - I just point blank started refusing to get up with DD from when I was about 7 months pregnant.... thankfully it only took a couple of nights for it to sink in with DH that i WASN'T getting out of bed! If i'm awake then fair enough, but otherwise it's ALL him! If your DH doesn't hear him wake up I found a sharp jab on the shoulder / eye / bollock usually woke him up nice and sharpish

Thanks ladies!

Had my second ante natal class on Tues and it was all about pain relief during labour, and now I am scared stiff.

Anyone else used or thinking about using a TENS machine - are they worth it / do you have any good / bad reviews you wish to share?

What worries me the most is that gas and air was getting quite near the top of pain relief offered before pethidine and an epidural. A few years back when I had some surgery I had a drain put in whilst under general anaesthetic but when it came to remove it I was in agony - I had gas and air and it did nothing to numb the pain it just made me giggle, so I ended up having a morphine injection (roughly equivalent to the pethidine I think but less baby friendly). So now I am realising I might have a really low pain threshold and may well be asking for an epidural very early on!!! Arggghhhhh! Now I am already feeling like a really pathetic woman!

jollyjoanne - I found Tens great - lasted me for 2 days of my labour - couldn't have done without it. You have to use it early on and the relief sort of builds up - you can hire them from Boots.

Also contractions don't start out hugely painful - the pain builds and as it does you body accomodates it. I remember an NCT class about going into a trance like state - and I did that without even thinking about it - sometimes hours passed and it felt like minutes.

Warm baths help - though they can slow things down. Walking helps - and can speed things up!

By the time I got gas & air it was more just a something to do - not really sure if it helped the pain.

I had pethidine and while it was great I don't remember terribly much from that point on - it was right to have it at the time, but if I was going for a vaginal birth this time round I would try to avoid it.

The epidural was fab though!

Hope that helps to allay some of your fears.

Good afternoon ladies!! So sorry I haven't posted recently...no computer is a real pain! I have been reading up though!!

Glad the GD seems to be going okay goldmother and MKG!! boobz I too am trying to get my head around what we are entitled to...is a real farce!!

snooch welcome...and well done for getting in in the nick of time!

I am doing okay...this is week 2 of maternity leave and after taking it easy last week I have begun a major cleaning spree this week!! My mum and dad are coming over on Sunday to do some DIY as I am not too good at doing it myself!!

My kitten (well 9 months old!) has just come into season and is on heat and seriously doing my head in! I have her booked in to be neutered on Monday but until then it seems she is intent on trying to mate with my bump!!!

I am managing to avoid heartburn so far but did dream I had piles last night...but again fortunately I am ap far avoiding piles too...I am feeling quite lucky!

I will be 33 weeks on saturday and it is starting to dawn on me that this is really happening! We went to the labour workshop on saturday and it has scared the shit out of me! We did get to see all the stuff they use for monitoring, the forceps and ventouse thingy!! And a tour of labour and post-natal wards which was very helpful in calming me as it isn't as hospital like as I was expecting!!

Hope everyone is doing okay today!

Emma - just wanted to know what happy pills you've been popping as I want some! You finished every sentence with an exclaimation mark!!! There were 24 in total!

I'm gonna have me some of whatever she's havin'...

ooo - cot just delivered! Just curtains to go and then we're done. Fab.

boobz I just have curtains to go as well! The curtain pole is a job for my dad at the weekend!! And yes...I am quite happy at the moment, apart from the overwhelming fear! I am just settling into being off work and enjoying spending time just feeling baby wriggling' I feel like were beginning to bond! Oh yeah...and exclamation marks are my favourite punctuation!!!

!!!!

emma--I can't wait to see you in a few weeks when you are just tired of being pregnant. I think that all the !! will be replaced with .

On a positive note for me. I found my sling last night Woo hoo!! It has been evading me for weeks when I finally remembered where I packed it, and there it was. My hospital bag is almost done, just need a few things, but the necesities are there. So that, and the baby's bag and and boys emergency bag and I'm done. The carseat is prepped and ready to go.

I'm feeling very put together right now.

Ooh wow such organisation from you all.

Our nursery still has a sofa bed in it with blue curtains, plain cream walls. To be honest though, we don't know what sex we're having but even if its a girl the curtains are staying for the time being. Its not a real boy's blue and they were only made to measure about 12 months ago so they can stay until either I get the urge to decorate or the baby becomes an opinionated toddler (about 2 going by dd). Not going to decorate it either as again it was only decorated just over a year ago. Am thinking of getting a big Elmer the Elephant wall sticker thing and all the furniture obviously needs to come out of the shed but I have my Dad booked in to come and help do that the weekend of 28 Feb/1 March... leaving it a bit late ? I'll be 38 weeks by then. I could probably get him up earlier if I felt the need but can't get my head around it at the moment.

Mind you, my brother is bringing his children to dd's birthday party next week and bringing a load of stuff we're borrowing off them as we probably won't see them until after the baby is born so it might start to hit home then.

Sleeping really badly here - kept waking up all night due to hip pain/needing to turn over and then woke at 5.30 and that was it then - ended up getting up. Was advised today to put a duvet under the sheet and use 2 pillows between my knees. A friend is going to lend me a long bolster pillow too to see if that helps.

Scan tomorrow. Feeling a bit nervous - it has so far been going so well but I dread a problem starting to arise and all that that will mean.

Auntyspan I like your suggestion about a sharp jab in DH's bollocks to get him up for DS - the jabs in the shoulder/side don't seem to work...... My problem is that I'm an extremely light sleeper and will wake at the slightest noise, especially sounds coming from DS - feel like I'm tuned into waking up automatically for him, so guess its just always felt natural to be the one to get up for him while DH snored on obliviously! You're right, just gotta get him into the habit of doing it now and it'll eventually become second nature like it is for me at the moment!

Sooooo very exciting for you ladies who are currently having all the new nursery stuff delivered - being our second I'm afraid it's all rather boring on the nursery front with the half chewed cot, chipped dresser and buggy which has seen more mileage on it than our car!! On a positive note, it's saving us a fortune I guess!

Oh Snooch don't worry. This baby being our third, we have nothing new except for a diaper bag I got for $2.99. Poor girl is going to be the fourth baby to use the carseat